Show Us Your Books January 2024

Is everyone used to writing 2024 yet? It still takes me a minute. It sounds so in the future.

My December reading was heavy on the re-reads. It’s not Christmas to me without my favorite books. I did have a few new winners though:

Five Stars

Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas - Wow, what a ride. I usually avoid books about teenagers and/or 9/11, but my library had this one and it‘s on the #LitsyTOB24 list. I really enjoyed it after all. My last read of 2023- love ending on a high note!

Four Stars

Lights by Brenna Thummler - The third book in a trilogy of graphic novels. I didn’t like it as much as the other two, but I was glad to get closure on Wendell’s story.

Nora Webster by Colm Toibin - Nora is a new widow and mother of four when we meet her. Not only is she dealing with grief she must make changes to support her family. This book was a quiet look at life in Ireland around the 60’s. The audiobook was beautifully read.

March by Geraldine Brooks - Little Women told mostly through the eyes of Mr. March. A friend recommended this knowing Little Women is a favorite, not knowing that I really can’t stand Mr March. BUT this book did such a great job of explaining why he was such a pompous know it all without making him sympathetic. I loved it. Warning this book largely takes place in the south during the Civil War so it’s not a gentle book.

Happy reading everyone!

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On My Nighstand September 4

I continue to become more and more dependent on my reading glasses. It’s just one more thing they tell you that you will have to deal with in your 40’s that you don’t believe until it happens to you.

I have a light reading week coming up. We have Labor Day travel, and kid’s sports are going to start again. I’m going to keep my expectations low!

The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World by Tom Roston - This is for my work bookclub.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - I’m joining a group on Litsy in reading this a chapter a day.

The Bright Continent by Dayo Olopade - For #ReadingAfrica2022 I’m really looking forward to this!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Show Us Your Books May 2022

Pat Conroy’s house in Beaufort, South Carolina

I was away for last month’s Show Us Your Books so this is two months worth of reviews. I’ve been on a roll lately so there’s some good ones here that you all probably ready years ago.

Five Stars

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - I‘ve had this book on my TBR for years and I‘m glad I finally read it. Every emotion was contained in this book, and I easily gave it five stars.

Sandworm by Andy Greenberg - Wow! If you want to know why everyone got really scared about cybersecurity about a month ago read this book. I‘m going to have to read it again just to make sure I caught everything.

Four Stars

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy - This was an impulse read because I spent some time in Beaufort, SC last month. I‘m really glad I read this sweeping, epic story of the Wingo family. It was a bit too drawn out in some places, but overall an excellent read. I might have to read it again now that I know what happens in the end.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - This was a re-read for me. I still love this book although I forgot how long it takes the ending to come. I think Kingsolver does a masterful job of developing the voices of these girls, and that really comes out in the audiobook.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - I‘m ever so slowly chipping off the books that have been on my TBR the longest. This one, added in 2016, I almost skipped because it‘s yet another WWII book. I appreciated the different spin on this one though, and liked the background about jazz on the West Coast. I‘m glad I finally got to it.

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson - I really liked this book about a Cold War federal agent who also happens to be an African American woman.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi - These modern Austen retellings set in different cultures than the original British versions really work for me.

Three Stars

Indemnity Only by Sara Paretsky - I was blown away by this series when I first read it in the 90‘s so I thought I‘d give it a re-read this year. I still like VI and her tough as nails crime fighting ways.

Hell and Other Destinations by Madeline Albright - I enjoyed this memoir about Albright‘s career after being Secretary of State. I didn‘t/don‘t know a lot about her, but she seemed very funny and smart. I‘d like to read more of her books.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia - This dragged some in spots, but the time period and setting made up for it.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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The Essential New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser

I grew up near Boston in a home where you could be forgiven for anything except rooting for a New York sports team. I’ve stayed true to my father’s wishes even though I probably still follow Max Scherzer’s career more than he would like. Dad never told me not read read The New York Times though, and over the years I’ve developed a real love for their food section.

Until all of their recipes went behind a paywall.

I was so, so very happy when I found out Amanda Hesser published a doorstop of a cookbook in 2010 that contains the most noteworthy recipes from the 1850’s to the early 2000’s. And my library had it! For free! Take that New York Times paywall. (Yes I know I should be willing to pay for good content. I’m just in a mood. So many subscriptions taking tiny chunks of my paycheck every week. I’ve had enough.)

You guys, I love this book. I know it’s been around for 22 years now, but it’s new to me, and it’s fabulous.

I’ve been reading a bit of it each night, and even though time and budget constraints keep me from cooking everything in this book, I’ve enjoyed reading the story behind each and every recipe. For the month of May I’m going to be all about this book, so expect to see a lot of it here!

October 2021 Show Us Your Books

September was a great reading month. I read not one but two five star books, got back into the swing of train reading, and devoured the new Louise Penny. So, so satisfying.

Five Stars

The Only Plane In The Sky by Garrett M. Graff - On Sep. 11 I was living just a few miles from the Pentagon and my husband was working at the US Capitol. In the end nothing happened to us personally, but the day was so chaotic and scary that I’ve avoided reading about it since. I decided this year I was ready for it so listened to this audiobook. It was really hard to re-live that day, but in a way really healing to hear everything laid out in chronological order.

We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker - I absolutely loved this book. Parts of it were so grim, but the characters melted my heart. READ THIS BOOK.

Four Stars

The Guide by Peter Heller - Peter Heller is a must read for me. I loved The River and I loved its follow up The Guide just as much. Poor Jack maybe he should pursue indoor hobbies.

Abigail Adams by Woody Holton - I had a hard time getting into this but ended up really loving it. Abigail Adams was so interesting- part time feminist icon part time mother in law from hell, this book showed all sides. Given the times I was fascinated by the description of John Adams‘ smallpox inoculation and his subsequent confinement. I really recommend this one.

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny - Another good one from Louise Penny. Set in a post pandemic world someone is using lessons and statistics from the pandemic to forward evil ideas, and Canada is starting to listen.

Who Is Maud Dixon by Alexandra Andrews - This was messed up in the best possible way. Two morally corrupt women take their talents to Morocco and craziness ensues. You have to be in the right mood for something like this which I totally was over Labor Day weekend.

Bride of the Sea by Eman Quotah - I liked this book. Operation Desert Storm from the Saudi perspective was not something I had read about before, and Muneer was the first Arabic man I‘ve read about who believed in restrictions against women but who wasn‘t portrayed as a villain. I wish the author had gone more into the motivations of Saeedah, and the ending was a little bumpy. Overall a good read, and I hope there will be more by this author.

Three Stars

Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan by Erika Fatland - This was between a pick and a so-so. I really loved the first half but towards the end she stopped talking about the logistics of traveling in Central Asia and more about the politics and I lost some interest. Overall though it was an interesting introduction to several countries I knew nearly nothing about.

The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman - I don‘t always love magical realism, but the characters in this one grew on me and I liked it more than I expected to.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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Show Us Your Books July 2021

Is anyone else reading more now than ever because you know your quarantine time is coming to an end? It looks like my office is opening back up in the fall and the kids will be going back to school, and I am appreciating my cocoon time in a way that I couldn’t before when it seemed like I would be trapped here forever. I don’t know. Life is strange. Anyway, June was another very prolific reading month, and the pools opened so I got to go back to my favorite hobby- poolside reading. My son asked me if I get a pool pass just so I’ll have a nice place to read. PRETTY MUCH.

Four Star Reads

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell - Grief through Shakespeare‘s wife‘s eyes. This was an incredible book.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King - One of my goals this summer is to re-read the first three books of the Dark Tower series. I just finished the first and this is one of those books that‘s better the second time through because you know what happens with the rest of the series. “Go then. There are other worlds than these.”

Backpack by Emily Barr - Tansy decides to take a year off after the death of her mother to backpack in Asia. Everything is great until a serial killer starts killing people who look like her, and leaving them with her belongings.

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline - Compelling historical fiction about women sent to Australia as convicts.

No One's Home by D. M. Pulley - A great summer ghost story with a satisfying ending. Recommend. (Right now this is free on Kindle for Prime members if you’re interested.)

All Adults Here by Emma Straub - I liked this family saga more than I thought I would. Straub somehow made the characters likable even as they messed up over and over.

Three Star Reads

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry - I liked this romance meets armchair travel. Perfect summer fun.

The Cookbook Club by Beth Harbison - This wasn‘t earth shattering groundbreaking Literature, but it was a nice happy story I read in a day.

Aunty Lee's Delights by Ovidia Yu - This murder mystery set in Singapore was a ton of fun. I can‘t wait to read the rest of the series.

One Life by Megan Rapino - I picked this audiobook because my daughter is really getting into soccer and I wanted to understand it better. I still don‘t understand what offsides is, but I liked Megan.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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Show Us Your Books January 2021

Goofball cats

December feels like a million years ago, but here are my favorite books from the month of December 2020.

Best of the Month

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle — I loved this book. I stayed up half the night and read it just to see what happened. I thought it would be a fluffy December romance, but it turned out to be about friendship and the cost of perfection.

Five Star Christmas Reads

Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson -- I absolutely loved this book of short stories, recipes, and essays. It’s really hard to explain, but it’s worth reading.

How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny -- My favorite book from my favorite series. It takes place around Christmas time, which adds to my annual December re-read.

Four More Worth Reading

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis -- I read about this thanks to the Show Us Your Books link up! This is the Alaskan legend of how two elder women survived after they were abandoned by their people. Old ladies for the win- you should read this one!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo -- I feel like I’m the last person on Earth to have read this, but I’ll add to the chorus that it was really good.

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan -- A wonderful memoir about motherhood and life in the 90’s. I read this before, but it’s totally different now that my kids are a little older.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon -- Based on the true story of Nancy Wake aka WWII‘s Socialite Spy. I really enjoyed this book, and was inspired by Nancy. I‘ll have to add more by Ariel Lawhon to my TBR.

Linked to: Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit

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Show Us Your Books Feb. 2020

My cat passed away last month, and that has seriously damped my ability to enjoy books. Is reading on the couch even reading if you don’t have a cat practicing yoga moves on your knee? I’ll miss him forever, but hopefully I’ll get back to my love of reading soon. Until then know I am probably being unnecessarily grumpy about some of these books.

My Best Read of the Month

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso - Someone described this as woke Golden Girls, which I thought was pretty funny and also accurate. Two sworn enemies live next door to each other have to put their differences aside when they realize they need each other. For those like me who have been seeking out books with characters over 40 who actually do things more interesting that drinking tea and giving advice give this one a read.

Great For Winter Reading On The Couch

The Gown by Jennifer Robson - A good story matched with good information about England after WWII.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf - I almost put this down because of a lack of quotation marks, but I’m glad I ended up sticking with it. It’s a sweet story about families - the ones you’re born with and the ones you create.
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - Another sweet story about families. If you like Backman you’ll like this book. If you don’t skip it.

Operation Re-Read

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - I really, really loved this book when I first read it, and I still love it today. It was where I first learned about the danger of mitigating language and that I should trust my years of practice.
A Better Man by Louise Penny - I read this really quickly when it first came out, and wanted to read it again but slower. My initial assessment stands- not the best Gamache but still a decent read.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I am in awe of Fitzgerald’s ability to say so much with just a few words. This is a yearly read for me, but to be honest I might pull it out again in a few months. That’s how much I love this book.

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Show Us Your Books January 2020

Winter sports have started which means a lot of my reading takes place at the ice rink now.

It never fails. As soon as I hit publish on my list of favorites from 2019 I read 3 amazing books. Don’t get me wrong, too many amazing books is a good problem to have, but I feel bad for my books. I hope they know they are all my favorites in their own way.

Should have been on my best of 2019 list

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood - This read like a warning to us all, with a glimpse of a silver lining. It’s not too late, but you need to pay attention. I was worried this sequel would be awful, but I liked it quite a bit.
The River by Peter Heller - A lot of the reviews on this book went back and forth on if it should be called a thriller. The tension of people vs. nature plus the constant threat of a hidden adversary thrilled me.
Stoner by John Williams - This book shows up a lot on lists of classics you probably haven’t read. I finally read it for a book club and thought it was wonderful. It sounds boring if I describe it - the story of an undistinguished man’s life, but Williams wrote with such a thoughtful melancholy and I loved it.

Audiobooks that got me through December

Cookies don’t bake themselves, and I needed the help of some good audiobooks.

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane - A good story that kept me guessing until the end. However I probably wouldn’t recommend this on audio because the narrator mispronounced all of the Massachusetts names and it drove me nuts.
Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem - Another one that kept me guessing. However this one worked especially well on audio. If you tried to read this and couldn’t get into it because of the main characters ticks you might want to try it again.
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou - Completely bananas. I couldn’t believe this was a true story. If you think you know workplace drama, give this one a try. Woah.

Just as good the second time around

Part of project re-read

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline - Once again this book ripped out my heart and crumpled it up like an old piece of paper. It’s very similar to Stoner now that I think about it.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - I’ve been seeing this book everywhere lately, and I’m so glad it’s getting the love it deserves.

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REVIEW: The Travelers by Chris Pavone

If you need some paperback entertainment consider Chris Pavone's The Travelers. This is a good old fashioned spy novel. It is in no way relate-able or possible, but it will keep you reading and guessing.

Will and Chloe are not exactly newlyweds, but they're not an old married couple either. Things are still new-ish, but they're starting to feel the strain of their poor financial decisions, infertility, and Will's debt. Then Will makes a mistake, and nothing is ever the same.

It took me about fifty pages to get into this book. There are a lot of characters, and it starts somewhat slow. But before I knew it, I couldn't put it down. This book would be perfect for vacation reading, and I'll seek out more of Pavone's books next time I take a trip.

Note: This book was provided by Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair review.

REVIEW: A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock

A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock is everything you could want in a beach read, if you happen to be going somewhere warm this weekend. It's the story of Vera, a rich but lonely woman drinking her way through 1920's New York. Vera is so rich she doesn't know how to make tea, but with all her comforts she's never been allowed a bit of fun or self expression. Even when she's tried her very proper mother or socially conscious husband has shut it down. Enter a mysterious European artist, and, well, you know.

This book is not one that will change your life with its prose. It's not The Great Gatsby. This book has characters you can root for, a backstory that keeps you interested, and a satisfying ending. If you're sitting in the sand sipping a drink, isn't that exactly what you're looking for?

Note: I received this book as part of Library Thing's Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Happy birthday, Gatsby

Last weekend The Great Gatsby turned 90. Now I don't pick favorite books, but if I had to Gatsby would be in consideration for top dog. I love the concise descriptions -  they tell you so much with just a few words.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.”

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.
”Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

“They’re a rotten crowd’, I shouted across the lawn. ‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”

“I couldn’t forgive him or like him, but I saw that what he had done was, to him, entirely justified. It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

“It takes two to make an accident.”